Nepal warns of strong measures against anti-China protesters

Kathmandu, Aug 7 (PTI): Ahead of the Beijing Olympic, the Nepal government has warned "Tibetan separatists" of "very strong" action if they continue with their anti-China protests.

Police grab a Tibetan protester as they arrest her during a protest near the Chinese Embassy Visa Section in Kathmandu July 25, 2008. Some 150 Tibetans living in Nepal took part in the demonstration to protest Chinese actions on Tibetans in Tibet. REUTERS/Gopal Chitrakar (NEPAL)

"Very strong measures will be taken to deal with such kinds (anti-China) of unauthorised activities and some key elements will be detained soon," state run The Rising Nepal said quoting unnamed official sources.

Unlike earlier, the protesters will be identified this time and will be detained for longer period, the daily said.

Tibetan separatists have been staging regular demonstrations in front of Chinese Embassy, Chinese Consulate's Office and near UN building ever since March 10 crackdown on pro-Dalai Lama activists by Chinese military in the Tibetan capital Lhasa.

"Strong security force will be deployed around places of suspicion so as to check the movement of the Tibetan separatists," it said.

Meanwhile, the Kathmandu district administration today banned the pro-Tibet demonstrations in sensitive parts of the city.

The areas where prohibitory orders were issued include the International Convention Centre at Baneshwor where the Constituent Assembly meeting takes place, Prime Minister's Office at Baluwatar and Chinese Embassy and visa section premises of Kathmandu.

Nepal Government, which insists on one-China policy, is continuously under pressure from Beijing to take strong action against the Tibetan demonstrators in the Himalayan nation.